In summary, it was a pretty awesome weekend.
It was one of those weekends that you can only truly have in your 20's. Except that I am not in my 20's, far from it.
I am not in my 20's and I am very slightly beginning to feel like I stick out like a sore thumb at these things. Atlanta is not as big as people think. There are lots of people, yes, but the same set of people end up attending the same events. And since we all get to see each other all the time, I am beginning to (1) get tired of seeing the same ole' faces (which must be reciprocal) and (2) feel like I am sticking out like a sore thumb because the only constant in my attendance at these things is that I show up alone. I don't know what that says about me.
I had the distinct pleasure of attending the launch party for Russian Standard Vodka at this super secret mansion where we had to be shuttled in buses from a general location. Apparently, the mansion, titled Lions Gate is on display, sort of like a museum where you buy tickets to tour it in support of the Save a Smile Foundation. The invite read: 7 million dollar mansion with over 20 million dollar in furnishings. I thought, okay then, this should be fun for a Friday evening.
The first point of contact took forever to locate. Who knew having an address with slight differences of NW and NE would make a huge difference of about 3 miles. I didn't. I thought it didn't matter at all. So several miles later, I made it to the pick up location, signed the waiver form (of course, without reading it) and boarded the bus. I didn't see anyone I recognized so I thought, so far so good. As soon as we made touchdown at the mansion, which resembled a ski lodge in Aspen, Colorado, you walk into these tents that wrap around the back garden revealing lush gardens, a very deep pool set off with a platform diving board and a waterfall highlighted with lights. Yes, the house took palatial mansion term that seriously. There were various booths spread across the grounds set up to serve variations of cocktails made with our sponsoring drink.
The event itself was amazing. The set up was exquisite and effortlessly planned from top to bottom. From the drop off to the pick up. There were several open bars set up so we didn't have to wait more than a couple of minutes to get a drink. Nothing I hate more than standing in line to get a drink. It just ruins the whole experience for me especially when you have to pay for the drinks. The bartenders were superbly professional, seemed like they were having fun, not afraid to experiment with the different permutations of the vodka. We also had specific tables set up for the "Russian experience", that is, doing shots in Russian, several ice sculptures and of course, the painted dancing ladies that we've all come to know, gawk at and love at these events. Then, an interesting mixed crowd of fun loving people. There were married people, single people, people that hardly go out but decided to just this once, older people, distinguished looking people, and of course me.
However, it won't be an Atlanta event if you don't run into the same nameless faces that often grace these events. We don't as much as acknowledge each other but there is an inherent recognition in our smirks. I've come to make friends with some of them and the evening is usually spent catching up on our past activities. On this night, I bumped into one of my male friends who I last saw at one of these events about a year ago and we spent the whole evening catching up, so much so that even though I stopped to chat with a few new faces here and there, and got to shoot the shit with some newcomers to the fold, I didn't really make any new connections per se. That to me was the only downer. I should really learn to break away from old acquaintances in order to meet new ones. It gets so hard at times and everyone has their guard up once you arrive, either they're texting away on their phones or clutching on to their significant others for dear life, that I feel like talking to them would cause an intrusion. Then, as the alcohol sets in they learn to disentangle and get to mingle with others. It's always fun at this point. But by this time I've already found someone to get tangled up with so in essence I am working in reverse.
Apart from that the night was superb. Exceptional evening. I have the pictures to prove it.
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